Impossible to go to Brussels without going to see the Manneken Pis, it would be like going to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. And it is all the more indispensable as it is just a stone's throw from the Grand Place, a jewel of Brussels architecture. The visit of one does not go without the other.
The crowd in front of the Manneken Pis
The crowd in front of the Manneken Pis
The daily crowd in front of the Manneken Pis
It must also be said that the capital does not shine by the number of its monuments. Its strong point is undeniably its architecture and quality museums, but it is not in Brussels that we will find the most monuments to admire. Of course, this does not mean that the city is uninteresting, on the contrary: The gastronomy, the warmth of the inhabitants, the way of life - far more distant from the way of life of its neighbors than one might think unique city where it is good to walk.
Rates
Free, simply. The Manneken Pis is on the public road, there is no restriction to approach it, and nobody will ever make you pay to see it ... unless you buy the services of a guide, but in this case it is him that you pay, not the vision of the statue.
Express
Nationals from an EU member state do not need documents to travel to Brussels. However since the attacks of 2015 it is better to have his identity card up to date, even his passport if it has not expired for more than 5 years.
Getting to Brussels
Impossible to go to Brussels without going to see the Manneken Pis, it would be like going to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower. And it is all the more indispensable as it is just a stone's throw from the Grand Place, a jewel of Brussels architecture. The visit of one does not go without the other.
It must also be said that the capital does not shine by the number of its monuments. Its strong point is undeniably its architecture and quality museums, but it is not in Brussels that we will find the most monuments to admire. Of course, this does not mean that the city is uninteresting, on the contrary: The gastronomy, the warmth of the inhabitants, the way of life - far more distant from the way of life of its neighbors than one might think unique city where it is good to walk around.
Accommodation
As the capital of Belgium, the accommodation offer is plethoric. There is a slight drop in prices in winter, when there are fewer visitors, and in the middle of summer, when European officials leave town for holidays.
When to go there?
As often to visit spring is a good season, it is mild and it is not yet the affluence of summer. In summer the heat is not too strong, it is rather in the North of Europe. But even in winter, the city will provide its charm to visitors. Brussels is a city that can be visited all year round.
How to reach the statue?
On foot, undeniably, and only on foot. It is at the corner of a pedestrian street and another one-way, with parking spaces along the sidewalks. Finding a place there is a miracle, and anyway traffic in Brussels sometimes turns hellish, especially along the highways and other highways that lead to it. No, taking the car to visit the city center is not a good idea, except to park it in a perimeter car park and get there by public transport.
To choose, always prefer to come by public transport and to stay in the city, it is more expensive but apart from the fact that it is more pleasant, you will make consequent savings of parking.
What to see nearby?
The Grande-Place of course! It is famous for being one of the most beautiful places in the world. Its main feature is the wealth of buildings that border it. Apart from the town hall and the king's house, which are opposite each other (the town hall to the south, the king's house to the north), one discovers the different houses of the guilds, heirs of the ancestral traditions of the city. It is also a hotspot in the history of Belgium.
The facades that surround it are typical. They usually have a pediment and large windows that open the interior of the building on the square, the windows being separated only by thin columns and - sometimes - small balconies or even simple railings. The upper parts of the facades, where the pediments are, are all beautiful.
At 19 rue du Chêne you will find a showroom presenting the different clothes that the Manneken Pis can take. Everything is not exposed of course, since it has more than 1000 outfits, but you will see the main ones.
The comic book museum is quite original, but especially typical of Belgium. Indeed, this art finds a large part of its authors in this country, and to mention only them, Hergé (Tintin), Peyo (The Smurfs), Franquin (Spirou, Gaston Lagaffe) were Belgian. This museum presents the various stages of the creation of a comic book and focuses on the techniques used. You will also see your favorite characters in full size! This museum will serve as a starting point for visiting the murals of the city, on the theme of comics, also a real curiosity of the city.
Otherwise Brussels offers visits to breweries, a real institution in this city that has been able to highlight the Belgian flagship drink: beer. Several breweries offer tours of their premises, with explanations and tours.
Finally, the various art museums of the city can not be silenced: The MIMA or museum of urban cultures, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Magritte museum, the famous painter has his museum here because he lived 25 years in Brussels. We see different works he has painted, often from everyday objects.
